Before joining the Washburn faculty in 1994, Manske worked at Creighton University and Metropolitan Community College, both in Omaha, Neb. He also served as adjunct professor at Johnson County Community College and was ethics instructor for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. Manske earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law and a master of arts from the University of Kansas.

Manske was inspiration to many

Washburn lost a member of its family on Monday when Col. Mike Manske, 54, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack.

Manske sent the following message to students in his online class on
terrorism, CJ 380, on Thursday morning, four days before his death:

Greetings Scholars!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year always makes me reflect on all the
blessings in my life, and it gives each of us an opportunity to ground
ourselves in the things that matter most in life.

I'm thankful that my kids are happy, healthy, and thriving in school
and in life. I'm thankful that I have a special woman in my life now,
and I'm going to ask her to marry me tonight. And finally, after three
combat tours of duty overseas, first in DESERT STORM, then two tours of
duty in Iraq, I'm thankful for God watching over my Marines and I, and
for allowing me to bring everyone home alive all three times! My second
tour of combat duty in Iraq was pretty rough, and I awarded 17 Purple
Heart Medals to the combat wounded in my unit, but at least I didn't
have to bring anyone home in a box!

As a former commander of mine used to say, "I got to hear the band
play twice, once when I got in the Corps and once when I retired!"

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What's an Ichabod?

Washburn's mascot, the Ichabod, honors the school's early benefactor, Ichabod Washburn, a 19th century Massachusetts industrialist. The original design of the studious-looking, tuxedo-clad figure was created in 1938 by Bradbury Thompson (ba '34), who became an internationally acclaimed graphic artist. Design wasn't Thompson's only consideration. To the stylized Ichabod the artist attributed the qualities of "...courage and enthusiasm, as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm..."